Method for detecting at least one object to be applied onto a support body

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for applying at least one object (2) onto a support body (3) and for detecting the object (2) to be applied, said method comprising the following method steps: - applying the object (2) onto a support body (3) along a feed path (7) extending between a dispensing device (5) and a surface (6) of the support body (3), - emitting at least one light beam (8, 9), which is redirected towards the feed path (7) by means of at least one optical deflection means, wherein the at least one light beam (8, 9) illuminates the object (2) to be detected in the feed path (7), and at least one shadow of the object (2), illuminated by the at least one light beam (8, 9), is cast onto at least one optical sensor (10), wherein the surface (6) of the support body (3) and / or a surface (11) of a supporting device (4) supporting the support body (3) is used as at least one optical deflection means.

Description

[0001] Method for detecting at least one object to be applied to a support body

[0002] Corresponding methods for detecting at least one object to be applied to a support body are basically known from the prior art. For example, it is known to illuminate an object using an illuminator and to direct the shadow formed thereby onto an optical sensor. For this purpose, an illuminator is placed beneath a dispensing device applying an object, so that after application from the dispensing device, the object is struck by a light beam coming directly from the illuminator. This design has the disadvantage that an illuminator and / or a deflection device must be placed in the space between the dispensing device and the support body. This increases the minimum distance between the dispensing device and the support body.

[0003] The invention is based on the object of specifying a method which has a small distance between a dispensing device and a support body on which an object applied from the dispensing device is applied, and at the same time enables reliable detection of the object to be applied.

[0004] The object is achieved by a method for detecting at least one object to be applied to a support body according to claim 1. The dependent claims relate to possible embodiments of the method.

[0005] The invention relates to a method for detecting at least one object to be applied to a support body. For this purpose, the method can optionally also comprise applying at least one object to a support body. The object can be a solid body or a liquid. An optional method step provides for applying the object to a support body via a feed path extending between a dispensing device and a surface of the support body. The object is applied from a dispensing device, then moves, in particular due to gravity, along the feed path and then comes into contact with the support body. In particular, the fed object can enter into a force-fitting and / or material-fitting and / or form-fitting connection with the support body, in particular on the surface of the support body. For example, the object is an adhesive that is applied to a support body.The object can be applied continuously or discontinuously to the support body. In other words, the object, e.g., in the case of a liquid, can form a droplet during its travel along the feed path. Alternatively or additionally, the object can exhibit a constant or changing geometric shape as it moves along the feed path. For example, in the case of a liquid, a droplet can change its shape along the feed path. In the case of a solid object, its shape can be subjected to a change, particularly a targeted change, due to external influences (e.g., due to the effect of thermal energy).

[0006] In a further method step, at least one light beam is emitted, which is deflected by at least one optical deflection means to the feed path, such that the light beam crosses or intersects the feed path or the movement path of the object moving from the dispenser device to the carrier body. The at least one light beam illuminates or strikes the object to be detected in the feed path, and at least one shadow of the object illuminated by the at least one light beam strikes at least one optical sensor or is imaged there. The shadow is imaged as a silhouette on the optical sensor or on its sensor surface, i.e. a contour of the object is imaged on the optical sensor by the shadow and the light-dark transition of the light beam striking the optical sensor.This makes it possible to determine or derive the area and / or the length and / or width and / or the volume of the detected object from the sensor information detected by the optical sensor. In particular, the volume and / or the shape of the object can be generated, in particular modeled, based on the detection information. The at least two light beams can cross the object in a common plane or in different planes. For example, the object can be crossed by the first light beam at a detection location on the feed path that is closer to the dispensing device than another detection location at which the object is crossed by the at least one second light beam. The object dispensed by the dispensing device can comprise a liquid or a pasty medium or a solid body.

[0007] Basically, the shadow is an unlit or less illuminated space behind an opaque or not completely transparent object that is located in the beam path of a light beam or the illumination device. According to the invention, the surface of the support body and / or a surface of a support device supporting the support body is used as at least one optical deflection means. In other words, the light beam is guided by utilizing a reflective property of the support body and / or a support device supporting the support body in order to achieve reliable detection of the object while simultaneously maintaining a short distance between the outlet opening of the dispensing device and the support body.By using the support body and / or a support device supporting the support body as an optical deflection means for the at least one light beam, the distance between the outlet opening of the dispensing device and the support body can be placed closer. The outlet opening of the dispensing device serves to discharge an object stored in or on the dispensing device, preferably in a storage space of the dispensing device. The outlet opening can be designed, for example, as a nozzle.

[0008] The deflection of the at least one light beam on the support body and / or the support device can be achieved by the support body and / or the support device having a specular or reflective surface. Alternatively or additionally, sufficient or good reflection behavior of the support body and / or the support device can be achieved by an incidence of the light beam at an angle c of less than 60°, preferably less than 45°, particularly preferably less than 35°, most preferably less than 30°, further preferably less than 25°, furthermore preferably less than 20°, for example less than 15°. If a light beam strikes a surface at small angular ranges, this can lead to a high degree of reflection, even if the surfaces tend to have lower reflection rates due to their nature.

[0009] The illumination device can be a planar or point-shaped light source or a light source acting as such and emit a light beam which, after striking the object, images or projects a shadow, in particular a sharply defined one, onto the optical sensor.

[0010] It is possible for the at least one light beam to enclose an angle α that is not equal to 90° with the line of movement of the object to be detected and applied to the support body via the feed path and / or with a line parallel to the line of movement of the object to be detected and applied to the support body via the feed path. Preferably, the angle α is 30° to 89°, particularly preferably 55° to 88°, most preferably 65° to 87°, further preferably 67° to 85°, and furthermore preferably 72° to 82°. In a preferred embodiment, the angle α has a value in the range of 74 and 80°. The center line and / or the main extension line of the light beam can be considered to be its line of travel, wherein this line encloses the angle α with a line of movement of the object to be detected and passing through the feed path.The angle α is viewed in a plane spanned by the, in particular straight, line of movement of the object in the feed path and a central ray line of a light beam. In other words, the line of movement of the object and the main ray line of the at least one light beam can run in a straight line in the area where the at least one light beam intersects the object, and the viewed plane in which the angle α lies is formed by the plane formed by the viewed light beam and the line of movement. The specified angular range for the angle α enables, on the one hand, positive reflection behavior of the light beam on the support body and / or on the support device carrying the support body and, at the same time, suitable shadow formation for evaluating the image on the optical sensor to obtain information on the geometry of the object.

[0011] Alternatively or additionally, the values ​​or value range of the angle α specified in the previous paragraph can correspond to preferred values ​​or value ranges of an angle of incidence s of the at least one light beam on the surface of the support body and / or on the surface of a support device supporting the support body. For example, the following can apply: α + α = 90°.

[0012] The method can preferably be carried out with more than one light beam. For example, a first and at least one second light beam, each of which is guided to the feed path by means of at least one optical deflection means, in particular by means of the same optical deflection means, through a surface of at least one support body and / or through a surface of at least one support device carrying the support body, wherein at least one shadow of the object illuminated by the at least one light beam strikes the at least one optical sensor. Preferably, at least two light beams, which are emitted from a common or from different illumination devices, each strike the object in the feed path and each strike the optical sensor. In this way, two or more silhouettes formed by the respective shadows can be imaged on the optical sensor.In the case of the same optical deflection means for deflecting at least two light beams, in particular originating from different lighting devices, the surface of the same support body and / or the surface of the same support device can be used for deflecting or for guiding the at least two light beams to the feed path.

[0013] In a preferred development, it can be provided, for example, that the first and second light beams cross before and / or after their respective deflection at the at least one deflection means; in particular, the first and second light beams cross in the feed path, in particular simultaneously. For example, the first and second light beams cross while they illuminate the object in the feed path. If, for example, a first and a second light beam are referred to here, the beam crossing principle can also extend to more than two light beams. The crossing of the at least two light beams can affect the beam center lines of the two beams, so that a crossing of the at least two beam center lines can occur while they hit or illuminate the object in the feed path.

[0014] Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the first light beam runs along a first rectilinear beam axis, in particular immediately before striking the at least one optical sensor, and the second light beam runs along a second rectilinear beam axis, in particular immediately before striking the at least one optical sensor, and the first and second rectilinear beam axes enclose an interior angle ß in the range from 1° to 90°, preferably in the range from 2° to 50°, particularly preferably in the range from 3° to 30°, most preferably in the range from 4° to 20°. If a single planar optical sensor is used to detect at least two light beams fed to the optical sensor at the aforementioned angle ß, a compact design and / or a small number of components can be achieved.

[0015] Furthermore, it can optionally be provided that a first shadow formed by the first light beam and a second shadow formed by the at least one second light beam impinge on the same optical sensor. In other words, at least two light beams, which are emitted, for example, from different lighting devices, impinge on the same optical sensor. Preferably, a first shadow formed by the first light beam impinges on a first sensor section of the optical sensor, and a second shadow formed by the second light beam impinges on a second sensor section of this optical sensor. For example, different light beams or shadows of the object created by different light beams are assigned overlapping or separate sensor sections of an optical sensor. The optical sensor can, for example, be designed as a rectilinear sensor orbe designed as a sensor with a rectilinear or a flat sensor surface. If, for example, the device comprises exclusively two light beams (a first and a second light beam), the optical sensor can be divided into a first sensor section and a second sensor section, wherein the sensor sections of the optical sensor can have a similar size (deviation of a maximum of 15%, preferably 10%, particularly preferably 5%) or an identical size with regard to the sensor section diagonal and / or with regard to the sensor section area. If the device has three or more light beams, the optical sensor can have three or correspondingly more sensor sections. In other words, the device can have a sensor section assigned to this light beam for each light beam that crosses the object on the feed path, in particular one that does not overlap with other sensor sections.

[0016] The first light beam and the second light beam can, for example, (a) from the lighting device emitting these light beams or from the lighting devices emitting these light beams to the at least one deflection means and / or (b) from the at least one deflection means to the feed path, in particular to the point at which the at least one light beam impinges on the object, and / or (c) from the feed path to a deflection mirror which is arranged in the direction of movement of the light beam, in particular immediately after the feed path, and / or (d) from an optical deflection mirror which is arranged in the direction of movement of the light beam, in particular immediately after the feed path, to the at least one optical sensor, at least in sections, preferably predominantly, particularly preferably completely, have a mirror-symmetrical course to one another on an axis of symmetry.By a mirror-symmetrical arrangement of at least some of the said elements, an advantageous structure is achieved, so that sensor information that can be easily evaluated and related to one another can be obtained from the at least two light beams and their shadow images on the optical sensor.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, it can be provided that at least one illumination device, in particular all of the illumination devices each, has or have a distance from the axis of symmetry that is (a) greater than the distance from the point of incidence of a central beam of at least one light beam on the optical sensor to the axis of symmetry and / or (b) greater than the distance from the point of incidence of a central beam of at least one light beam on a mirror element arranged downstream of the detection area in the direction of light beam propagation to the axis of symmetry and / or (c) greater than the maximum distance of the optical sensor to the axis of symmetry. The first and / or second light beam can pass, at least in sections, preferably predominantly, from at least one illumination device to the optical deflection means through an at least partially curved optical fiber.

[0018] The at least one mirror element is a reflective element which is neither the support body nor the support device or is not formed by the support body nor the support device, but rather represents an element separate from the support body and the support device.

[0019] Alternatively or additionally, (a) the at least one illumination device for emitting the at least one light beam and / or (b) a light beam modification device, e.g., a color filter, arranged upstream of the optical sensor in the light beam generation direction can be configured or designed to impart a first, predefined wavelength or a first wavelength range to the first light beam and a second wavelength or wavelength ranges to the second light beam that differ from the wavelength or wavelength range of the first light beam. Imposing, in the present sense, means modifying or adjusting a light beam accordingly and / or generating it with a corresponding wavelength or wavelength range.Because different light beams have different wavelengths or wavelength ranges, the information captured by the respective light beams upon their impact on the optical sensor can be assigned to the respective light beams. This can lead to more meaningful detection of the object illuminated by the light beams. In other words, an optional method step can provide for the generation of evaluation information which, based on image information generated by the at least one optical sensor and taking into account a difference in the wavelength and / or wavelength ranges of the first and at least one second light beam, describes at least one piece of object image information assigned to the first and / or second light beam.

[0020] The at least one illumination device can be designed, for example, as an LED (light-emitting diode), in particular as an RGB LED with a variable light color. The first light beam and the second light beam can, for example, emerge from the same illumination device, or a first illumination device can be used for the first light beam and a second illumination device, separate from the first, can be used for the second light beam.

[0021] It is possible for at least one light beam to be deflected by a mirror element, in particular a single one, assigned to the at least one light beam after it has passed through the feed path and before it strikes the at least one optical sensor. Preferably, a first light beam is deflected by a first mirror element, in particular a single one assigned to the first light beam, after it has passed through the feed path and before it strikes the at least one optical sensor, and a second light beam is deflected by a second mirror element, in particular a single one assigned to the second light beam, after it has passed through the feed path and before it strikes the at least one optical sensor. The first and second light beams can, for example, be emitted by different lighting devices.For example, the mirror elements can be used to arrange the optical sensor and the at least one illumination device on the same side of the feed path, starting from a movement axis of the object. This results in a compact and simple design, since the power supply of the at least one illumination device and the optical sensor can be locally concentrated, for example, arranged or formed on the same side of a dispensing device.

[0022] It is possible for the method to trigger a sensor recording of an optical sensor, wherein the triggering occurs depending on a sensor activation signal. Thus, when a sensor activation signal is present, a sensor recording is triggered and thus a recording or image information is generated by the optical sensor. In a further method step, a digital dispenser device activation signal provided by a control unit controlling a dispenser device is received, wherein the sensor activation signal can be generated or is generated depending on the dispenser device activation signal or corresponds to it. Thus, the sensor activation signal and thus the sensor recording can be triggered depending on the dispenser device activation signal.Alternatively or in addition to using the dispenser device activation signal to generate a sensor activation signal, it can be provided that a vibration of a dispenser device and / or a noise of a dispenser device is detected, wherein the sensor activation signal is generated as a function of detection information describing the detected vibration and / or noise. For example, activation of the dispenser device results in a defined acoustic (noise) or haptic (vibration) signal that can be detected by a detection device and lead to detection information. If a sensor activation signal is controlled or triggered as a function of such detection information, reliable optical sensor control or use can be achieved.

[0023] For example, a drop formed by a liquid can be used as the object to be applied and detected. For example, a continuous liquid or a liquid without any interruption, e.g. a liquid stream, can also be applied as the object and detected by the optical sensor. It is also possible for a solid body to be used as the object to be applied and detected; preferably, a wire-like body and / or a bonding material is used as the object to be applied and detected. For example, the object can be a bonding wire which is applied to a carrier body designed as a circuit board and / or to an electronic component. In this case, the carrier device can be, for example, a carrier which transports the carrier body designed as a circuit board in the manner of an assembly carrier within a production line.

[0024] It is possible for the object to be applied and detected to be subjected to thermal energy after emerging from an outlet opening of the dispensing device or while passing through an outlet opening of the dispensing device. For example, the object is thermally treated, resulting in the formation of a ball or knob in an area, particularly an end area, of the object. In the case of an object designed as a bonding wire, this can be provided with a thickening during the application of thermal energy, which can serve, for example, as a contact point with the support body, i.e., with a circuit board (printed circuit board).

[0025] For example, the at least one lighting device and / or at least one optical sensor and / or at least one mirror element for redirecting a light beam is at a greater distance from an impact area, in particular from an impact plane, of the object on the support body than (a) an outlet opening of the dispensing device and / or (b) a point of intersection of the at least one light beam with the object in the feed path. For example, it can be provided that at least one lighting device, in particular all lighting devices, and at least one optical sensor, in particular all optical sensors, are placed on a first side of the dispensing device or a dispensing movement axis of an object, and at least one mirror element, in particular all mirror elements, that redirects a light beam after it has passed through the feed path are placed on a second side of the dispensing device.Preferably, a deflection section on the optical deflection means, which is formed by a surface of the support body and / or a support device carrying the support body, is optionally located on the first side of the dispensing device. The impact region forms a surface section of the support body onto which the object applied by the dispensing device impacts. The impact region can, for example, be designed as an impact plane. Preferably, the impact plane is coincident with at least one surface of the support body that reflects the light beam. Optionally, a housing can be used that comprises a first housing section in which at least one illumination device for emitting, in particular, a light beam, in particular a first and a second illumination device, and / or the optical sensor are accommodated or can be accommodated.The housing can form an interior space in which the at least one lighting device and / or the optical sensor are arranged. Furthermore, at least one further housing section of the housing has a passage opening for the passage of the object to be detected and / or a receiving opening for at least partially receiving a dispensing device applying the object. The passage opening and / or the receiving opening is / are surrounded by a wall, in particular forming a closed ring. Optionally, the housing can surround the passage opening and / or the receiving opening in an L- or U-shape. A closed ring shape as a boundary of the passage opening and / or the receiving opening of the housing increases stability and results in the structure being more compact overall and / or having a low height.

[0026] In an optional embodiment, it can be provided that a displacement device is used which is configured to displace a dispensing device relative to the optical sensor. In other words, the dispensing device can be mounted so as to be displaceable relative to the optical sensor, in particular displaceable relative to the optical sensor by a controlled actuator. The dispensing device can, for example, be displaced by means of the displacement device between a first position, at least partially accommodated in a receiving opening of a housing, and a second position, in particular an outlet opening cleaning position, relative to the receiving opening. In an outlet opening cleaning position, the outlet opening, e.g. in the form of a nozzle, can be exposed and / or acted upon by a cleaning element.In the outlet opening cleaning position, the outlet opening can be contacted, for example, by a cleaning element to perform mechanical cleaning. Alternatively or additionally, cleaning can be carried out by means of a cleaning fluid (e.g., a cleaning fluid applied as a jet) acting on the outlet opening. In this case, the outlet opening can be exposed to cleaning fluid in the outlet opening cleaning position. The displacement device can be controlled automatically, for example. In particular, the displacement device can be coupled to an automated and / or manually operated cleaning device, so that a mechanical or electronic forced control can be implemented between the control of the displacement device and the cleaning device.In addition to the method, the invention also relates to a device for detecting at least one object to be applied to a support body. In other words, the device can represent a detection device and, optionally combined with a dispensing device, form an overall device. The dispensing device can be used to apply the at least one object to a support body. The device can preferably also comprise means for applying at least one object to a support body, for example a dispensing device. The device comprises, for example, a dispensing device for applying the at least one object and a feed path extending between the dispensing device and a surface of a support body, via which feed path the object can be applied to the support body.The device further comprises at least one illumination device for emitting at least one light beam, wherein the at least one light beam is guided or can be guided to the feed path by means of at least one optical deflection means, wherein the at least one light beam illuminates the object to be detected within the feed path. The support body can form a component of the device or be designed as a separate element from the device, wherein the shape of the support body in both cases is coordinated with the position and / or orientation of individual elements (optical sensor, any deflection mirror, dispenser device and illumination device) and vice versa. The device further comprises at least one optical sensor onto which at least a shadow of the object illuminated by the at least one light beam strikes or can strike.The device and its components are configured for a predefined support body and its geometric configuration, in particular its surface used for deflection, such that the at least one optical deflection means forms a surface of the support body or a surface of a support device carrying the support body, and a targeted deflection of the at least one light beam by the support body and / or by the support device is enabled. In other words, the device is configured to direct a light beam onto a support body or onto a support device carrying a support body, to record the reflection occurring there, to guide it to the optical sensor, and to generate sensor information there that images the illuminated or detected object.

[0027] Furthermore, the invention extends to an arrangement which has at least one device described herein and at least one support body, in particular described herein, and / or a support device carrying a support body, in particular described herein, wherein the support body and / or the support device is / are configured to reflect a light beam emitted by the device, so that an impact of the light beam on at least one optical sensor of the device is made possible.

[0028] It can be provided that the at least one optical sensor and at least one illumination device used to emit at least one light beam, in particular all illumination devices for emitting light beams of the device that illuminate the object, are arranged on a common, in particular one-piece and / or flat, electrical circuit board. Thus, a circuit board, in particular a one-piece, can be used as the supporting structure for the at least one illumination device and for the optical sensor.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, an arrangement of the at least one illumination device used to emit at least one light beam, the feed path, the optical sensor, and the at least one optical deflection means, in particular the support body and / or the support device carrying a support body, can be provided such that at least one light beam, in particular a center beam of the at least one light beam, strikes the optical sensor at an angle θ other than 90°. Because the at least one light beam strikes the optical sensor at an angle θ other than 90°, in particular at an angle θ less than 85°, preferably at an angle θ less than 75°, a compact arrangement is achieved. In particular, the at least two light beams come from different directions, so that a single optical sensor can be used to receive all of the light beams.Preferably, the angle of incidence of the beam center lines of the at least two light beams is aligned symmetrically, in particular mirror-symmetrically, to the optical sensor.

[0030] An optional embodiment can be designed such that a first light beam is deflected to the feed path and in particular to the sensor via the optical deflection means formed as the surface of a support body, and a second light beam is deflected to the feed path and in particular to the optical sensor without being deflected at a surface of a support body and / or without being deflected at a surface of a support device carrying a support body. This makes it possible for different light beams to image different sections of the feed path. For example, a first section of the feed path can be an area adjacent to an exit opening, thus representing a reference on the optical sensor with regard to the exit opening-side end section of the image imaged on the optical sensor.Alternatively or additionally, a light beam can pass through or detect the end section of the feed path assigned to the support body and image information generated by this beam can be displayed on the optical sensor, a reference for the end section on the support body side.

[0031] If at least two light beams strike the object and image it on at least one sensor, the detection information generated by the optical sensor can be evaluated. For example, an algorithm-supported evaluation of the detected object takes place, taking into account the light beams striking it from two different angles. In this way, individual geometric bodies captured automatically by image capture can be summed up in discrete pixels. For example, these geometric bodies are elliptical disks, whereby a volume pixel / volume of the object is determined, possibly using a scaling factor.

[0032] It may prove advantageous if the first and / or at least one second light beam passes through an optical diffuser in their light beam flow direction before passing through or penetrating the feed path. The diffuser evens out the luminous effect of the light beam before its intersection with the object. This can enhance the contrast between the separating contour of the object's shadow image and the illuminated sections of the optical sensor, and / or place areas of the separating contour line in a state conducive to the evaluation of the sensor information.

[0033] Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the first and / or second light beam passes through a lens in the light beam flow direction after passing through the feed path and before hitting the optical sensor or passes through a lens assigned to the respective light beams.

[0034] It can be provided that the first and / or second light beam is deflected by a, in particular by a single, first or second mirror element after it has passed through the feed path and before it strikes the optical sensor.

[0035] Optionally, at least one lighting device, i.e. the first and / or the at least one second lighting device, can be designed as an LED light source or comprise such an LED. In particular, all of the lighting devices are designed as LED light sources. It is possible for the at least one lighting device, in particular all of the lighting devices, to be designed to specifically change their wavelengths and / or the range of the emitted wavelengths or to change them into a predefined range using a control signal. In this case, it can be provided, for example, that a first light beam has a first wavelength and a second light beam a second wavelength and both light beams impinge on a common sensor, and the first and second light beams impinge at least in sections on common or overlapping sensor sections of the sensor.This can result in at least one sensor surface section experiencing double exposure by the first and second light beams. The optical sensor used and / or an evaluation device associated with this sensor can be configured to derive or extract detailed information associated or assignable to the respective light beams from detection information exhibiting such double exposure. For this purpose, the optical sensor can be designed, for example, as a so-called RGB sensor.

[0036] All advantages, details, embodiments and / or features of the method according to the invention and its embodiments and concretizations are also transferable or applicable to the device according to the invention and to the arrangement according to the invention and vice versa.

[0037] The invention is explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments in the drawings. In the drawings:

[0038] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a device according to a first embodiment;

[0039] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a device according to a second embodiment;

[0040] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a device according to a third embodiment;

[0041] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a device according to a fourth embodiment;

[0042] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a comparison of the reflection coefficient of different light rays as a function of the angle of incidence onto a surface of a support body or onto a surface of a support device carrying the support body according to a fourth embodiment;

[0043] Figs. 6 to 10 each show a schematic diagram of devices according to different embodiments; Fig. 11 shows a schematic diagram of a device viewed in the ZY plane according to one embodiment;

[0044] Fig. 12 a schematic diagram of a sensor surface of the optical sensor.

[0045] The figures depict a method for detecting at least one object 2 to be applied to a support body 3, or a device 1 for carrying out the method. Optionally, the method comprises applying at least one object 2 to a support body 3, or the device 1 comprises means (e.g., a dispensing device 5) for applying at least one object 2 to the support body 3. The method optionally provides a method step, after which the object 2 is applied to a support body 3 via a feed path 7 extending between a dispensing device 5 and a surface 6 of the support body 3.The method comprises emitting at least one light beam 8, 9 by means of at least one illumination device 16, 17, which is deflected by means of at least one optical deflection means 39 to the feed path 7, wherein the at least one light beam 8, 9 illuminates the object 2 to be detected in the feed path 7 and at least one shadow of the object 2 illuminated by the at least one light beam 8, 9 impinges on at least one optical sensor 10. The surface 6 of the support body 3 and / or a surface 11 of a support device 4 carrying the support body 3 is used as at least one optical deflection means 39. In other words, a component of the application and / or detection device does not form the optical deflection means 39 in order to direct the at least one light beam 8, 9 into the feed path orto move onto the object 2 moved in the feed path, but rather a support body 3 and / or a support device 4 carrying the support body 3. In other words, a deflection (see arrow 51, 5T) on the surface 6 of the support body 3 and / or on the surface 11 of a support device 4 carrying the support body 3 can take place before the at least one light beam 8, 9 strikes the object 2 in the feed path 7, cf. Figure 3. Objects 2 already applied to the support body 3, in particular connected there to the support body 3, are marked with the arrow 52.

[0046] As shown by way of example in Figure 1, in addition to the shadow 12 or the image of the object 2, a shadow 56 of the impact area 38 and thus, for example, of an object 2 already applied to the carrier 3 and / or a shadow 57 or an image of a region of the dispensing device 5, in particular the outlet opening 22 of the dispensing device 5, can also optionally be imaged. Figures 6 to 10 each show a plan view of a device 1, wherein the path of the light rays 8, 9 from the illumination device 16, 17 to the optical sensor 10 does not occur within a single plane. Rather, the light beam 8, 9 emerges from the plane of the drawing; in particular, an exit from the plane of the drawing can occur before the light beam 8, 9 is reflected on the surface 6 of the support body 4 and / or on the surface 11 of the support device 4 carrying the support body 4.In other words, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the surface 6, 11 of the support body 3 and / or the support device 4 can be located below or above the plane of the light beam exit at the illumination device 16, 17 and / or below and / or above the plane of the light beam impact on the optical sensor 10. By means of the surface 6, 11 of the support body 3 and / or the support device 4 and by means of any mirror elements 18, 18' of the device 1, the at least one light beam 8, 9 can exit and be returned from an exit plane located directly after the illumination device 16, 17 and / or an end plane located directly in front of the optical sensor 10.

[0047] The at least one light beam 8, 9 can enclose an angle a that is not equal to 90° with a line of movement 50 of the object 2 to be detected and applied to the support body 3 via the feed path 7 and / or with a parallel 47 of the line of movement 50 of the object 2 to be detected and applied to the support body via the feed path. The angle a is preferably a value in the range of 10° to 89°, particularly preferably 10° to 80°, most preferably 20° to 70°, further preferably 30° to 60°, furthermore preferably 40° to 50°. The line of movement 50 of the object 2 can, for example, at least partially, preferably predominantly, particularly preferably completely, correspond to or coincide with a main extension line of the feed path 7. Alternatively or additionally, the values ​​and value ranges of the aforementioned angle a can be directly related to an angle of incidence s, see Figure 1 , so 90° - s = a can apply.

[0048] A first and at least one second light beam 8, 9 are each guided to the feed path 7 by means of at least one optical deflection means 39, in particular by means of the same optical deflection means 39, which is formed by a surface 6 of at least one support body 3 and / or by a surface 11 of at least one support device 4 carrying the support body 3, wherein at least one shadow of the object 2 illuminated by the at least one light beam 8, 9 impinges on the at least one optical sensor 10. Preferably, both light beams 8, 9 strike the object 2 in the feed path 7 and each form a shadow of the object 2 on the optical sensor 10. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second light beams 8, 9 intersect before and / or after their respective deflection 39 at the at least one optical deflection means 39. It is thus possible for the first and second light beams 8, 9 to intersect in the feed path 7.For example, the first and second light beams 8, 9 intersect while they, in particular simultaneously, illuminate the object 2 in the feed path 7.

[0049] The first light beam 8, 9 can, for example, in particular immediately before impinging on the at least one optical sensor 10, run along a first rectilinear beam axis and the second light beam 8, 9 can, in particular immediately before impinging on the at least one optical sensor 10, run along a second rectilinear beam axis, wherein the first and second rectilinear beam axes enclose an interior angle β in the range from 1° to 90°. The interior angle β of the two rectilinear beam axes can preferably be in the range from 2° to 50°, particularly preferably in the range from 3° to 30°, most preferably in the range from 4° to 20°. The first rectilinear beam axis can correspond to a first center ray of the first light beam 8 in the region, in particular immediately, in front of the optical sensor 10.Analogously, the second rectilinear beam axis can correspond to the second center beam of the second light beam 9 in the area, in particular directly in front of the optical sensor 10.

[0050] A first shadow 12, formed by the first light beam 8, and a second shadow 13, formed by the at least one second light beam 9, can, for example, impinge on the same optical sensor 10. This means that an optical sensor 10 with a sensor surface can be used to detect the at least two light beams 8, 9 and their respective shadow contours generated by the object 2. Preferably, a first shadow 12, formed by the first light beam 8, 9, impinges on a first sensor section 14 of the optical sensor 10, and a second shadow 13, formed by the second light beam 9, impinges on a second sensor section 15 of this optical sensor 10. As shown in Figure 12, the sensor surface of the optical sensor 10 has two sensor sections 14, 15, wherein the respective sensor sections 14, 15 are each assigned to the possible impingement areas of the (here, for example, two) light beams 8, 9.

[0051] For example, the at least one optical sensor 10 and the at least one lighting device 16, 17 are arranged on a common, in particular one-piece and / or flat, electrical circuit board 29. In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 6 to 8 and 10, the circuit board 29 is configured, by way of example, as a support structure for supporting the lighting devices 16, 17 and for supporting the optical sensor 10. It is possible for at least one lighting device 16, 17, in particular all of the lighting devices 16, 17, and / or the optical sensor 10 to be supported relative to a housing 24 of the device 1 exclusively via the circuit board 29.

[0052] It is possible for the first light beam 8 and the second light beam 9 (a) to have, at least in sections, preferably predominantly, particularly preferably completely, a mirror-symmetrical path to one another along an axis of symmetry 19 from the illumination device 16, 17 emitting these light beams 8, 9 or from the illumination devices 16, 17 emitting them to the at least one deflection means 39. In other words, the at least two light beams 16, 17 can have a symmetrical path to one another from the illumination device 16, 17 to the deflection means 39. An at least in section, preferably predominantly, particularly preferably completely, symmetrical beam guidance ora corresponding symmetrical course of the at least two light beams 16, 17 can alternatively or additionally (b) apply to a beam guidance path from the at least one deflection means 39 to the feed path 7, in particular until the at least one light beam 8, 9 impinges on the object 2, and / or (c) to a beam guidance path from the feed path 7 to a mirror element 18 which is arranged in the direction of movement of the light beam 8, 9, in particular immediately after the feed path 7 and / or (d) to a beam guidance path from a mirror element 18 which is arranged in the direction of movement of the light beam 8, 9, in particular immediately after the feed path 7, to the at least one optical sensor 10.

[0053] The at least one mirror element 18 can be designed, for example, as a multi-refractive mirror and / or as a split mirror and / or as a mirror adjustable in its mirror angle and / or as an optical grating.

[0054] According to the embodiment shown in Figure 2, it can be provided that, when the method is carried out as intended, a light beam 8, 9 is reflected on the surface 6, 11 of the support body 3 and / or the support device 4 and a further light beam is emitted by the same or a separate illumination device 16, 17, which light beam passes directly, i.e. without reflection on the surface 6, 11 of the support body 3, onto the feed path 7 and there strikes an element (e.g. an object 2 and / or a component of the dispensing device 5) and projects an image or a shadow of the element onto the optical sensor 10. Because this further light beam is not reflected on the surface 6, 11, the observation or detection carried out by means of this further light beam canDetection can also be carried out without the presence of a support body 3 or a support device 4 or even if the support body 3 and / or support device 4 is not placed in a location intended for the application of the object to the support body 3, e.g. during a cleaning process of the dispensing device 5, preferably during a cleaning process of the outlet opening 22 of the dispensing device 5.

[0055] The at least one illumination device 16, 17 for emitting the at least one light beam 8, 9 and / or a light beam modification device 20, e.g. a color filter, arranged in front of the optical sensor 10 in the light beam preparation direction, can be or are configured, for example, to impose, i.e., to generate, a first, predefined wavelength or wavelength range on the first light beam 8 and a second wavelength or wavelength range different from the wavelength or wavelength range of the first light beam 8, 9 on the second light beam 9.

[0056] In one method step, for example, generation of evaluation information can be provided which, based on sensor information generated by the at least one optical sensor 10 and taking into account a difference in the wavelength and / or in the wavelength ranges of the first and at least one second light beam 8, 9, describes at least one piece of object image information associated with the first and / or the at least one second light beam 8, 9. In other words, sensor information can be evaluated in such a way that, in addition to the shadow contour of the object 2, different wavelengths or different wavelength ranges of the light incident on the optical sensor 10 are also taken into account, so that a distinction can be made between the sensor information components caused by the first and the at least one second light beam 8, 9 and this can be output in evaluation information.In particular, when the images of the first and second light beams 8, 9 are present at least partially overlapping on the sensor surface of the optical sensor 10, an image analysis and in particular an identification of image information to be assigned to the respective light beams 8, 9 is enabled or facilitated.

[0057] At least one light beam 8, 9 can, for example, be deflected by a mirror element 18, in particular a single one, assigned to the at least one light beam 8, 9, after it has passed through the feed path 7 and before it strikes the at least one optical sensor 10. Preferably, a first light beam 8 is deflected by a first mirror element 18, in particular a single one, assigned to the first light beam 8, after it has passed through the feed path 7 and before it strikes the at least one optical sensor 10, and a second light beam 9 is deflected by a second mirror element 18, in particular a single one, assigned to the second light beam 9, after it has passed through the feed path 7 and before it strikes the at least one optical sensor 10.

[0058] For example, triggering of a sensor recording of an optical sensor 10 can be provided, wherein this triggering occurs as a function of a sensor activation signal. In this case, receiving of a dispensing device activation signal can be provided, which is provided by a control unit 21 controlling a dispensing device 5. The sensor activation signal can be generated or can be generated as a function of the dispensing device activation signal, or can correspond thereto. Alternatively or in addition to a dispensing device activation signal provided by a control unit 21, (a) a vibration of a dispensing device 5 and / or (b) a noise of a dispensing device 5 can be detected, wherein the sensor activation signal is generated as a function of detection information describing the detected vibration and / or the detected noise.In other words, a sensor recording of the optical sensor 10 can be triggered as a function of a dispenser device activation signal controlling the dispenser device 5 and / or as a function of a noise of the dispenser device 5 and / or as a function of a vibration of the dispenser device 5. As shown by way of example in Figure 11, a detection means 33 for detecting a vibration and / or a noise of the dispenser device 5 can be arranged at least partially, preferably completely, in or on the housing 24 of the device 1.

[0059] For example, a droplet formed by a liquid can be used as the object 2 to be applied and detected. In other words, the application and detection device can be used to carry out and monitor the application of a liquid. Alternatively or additionally, a solid body can be used as the object 2 to be applied and detected. Preferably, a wire-like body and / or a bonding material is used as the object 2 to be applied and detected.

[0060] The at least one lighting device 16, 17 and / or at least one optical sensor 10 and / or at least one mirror element 18 for redirecting a light beam 8, 9 can, for example, have a greater distance 22 from an impact area 38, in particular from an impact plane, of the object 2 of the support body 3 than (a) an outlet opening 22 of the dispensing device 5 and / or (b) a crossing point 23 of the at least one light beam 8, 9 with the object 2 in the feed path 7. By using the surface 6 of the support body 3 and / or the surface 11 of a support device 4 carrying the support body 3 as a deflection means 39 for the at least one light beam, a shorter distance between the outlet opening 22 of the dispensing device 5 and the surface of contact of the object 2 on the support body 3 can be achieved.

[0061] It is possible to use a housing 24 that comprises a first housing section 25, in which at least one illumination device 16, 17 for emitting, in particular, a light beam 8, 9, in particular a first and a second illumination device 8, 9, and / or the optical sensor 10 is or can be accommodated. Furthermore, the housing 24 comprises at least one further housing section 26, which has a passage opening for the passage of the object 2 to be detected and / or a receiving opening 27 for at least partially receiving a dispensing device 5 that applies the object 2.

[0062] Optionally, the device 1 can comprise a displacement device 28 or cooperate with such a device, wherein the displacement device is configured to displace a dispensing device 5 relative to the optical sensor 10. Thus, the dispensing device 5 can be displaced by means of the displacement device 28 between a first position, at least partially accommodated in a receiving opening 27 of a housing 24, and a second position, in particular an outlet opening cleaning position, relative to the receiving opening 27. For example, the displacement device 28 comprises an actuator which, upon receipt of a control signal, can execute a relative movement between the receiving opening 27 of a housing 24 and the dispensing device 5. In particular, the dispensing device 5 is displaced relative to a receiving opening 27 of the housing that remains stationary.

[0063] The described method can be carried out, for example, using a device 1 shown in the figures. The device 1 optionally serves to apply at least one object 2 to a support body 3 and (mandatorily) to detect at least the object 2 to be applied. The device 1 comprises at least one dispensing device 5 for applying the at least one object 2 and a feed path 7 extending between the dispensing device 5 and a surface 6 of a support body 3, via which the object 2 can be applied to the support body 3. Furthermore, the device 1 can comprise at least one illumination device 16, 17 for emitting at least one light beam 8, 9, wherein the at least one light beam 8, 9 is guided or can be guided to the feed path 7 by means of at least one optical deflection means 39. The at least one light beam 8, 9 illuminates the object 2 to be detected within the feed path 7.At least one shadow of the object 2 illuminated by the at least one light beam 8, 9 impinges on at least one optical sensor 10 of the device 1 or is imaged there due to the incident at least one light beam 8, 9. The at least one optical deflection means 39 is formed by a surface 6 of the support body 3 or a surface 6 of a support device 4 supporting the support body 3.

[0064] Furthermore, the invention comprises an arrangement comprising at least one device 1 described herein and at least one support body 3 and / or a support device 4 carrying a support body 3, wherein the support body 3 and / or the support device 4 is / are configured to reflect a light beam 8, 9 emitted by the device 1, so that an impact of the light beam 8, 9 on at least one optical sensor 10 of the device 1 is made possible.

[0065] It can also be provided that at least one illumination device 16, 17, in particular all of the illumination devices 16, 17, has or have a distance 40 from the axis of symmetry 19 that is greater than the distance 41 of an impingement point 42 of a center beam of at least one light beam 8, 9 on the optical sensor 10 from the axis of symmetry 19. Alternatively or additionally, the distance 40 of the at least one illumination device 8, 9 from the axis of symmetry 19 can be greater than the distance 49 of an impingement point 43 of a center beam of at least one light beam 8, 9 on a mirror element 18 arranged downstream of the feed path 7 in the light beam propagation direction from the axis of symmetry 19 and / or greater than the maximum distance 45 of the optical sensor 10 from the axis of symmetry 19, cf. Figure 10. The maximum distance 45 of the optical sensor 10 relates to its area furthest away from the axis of symmetry 19, e.g.whose outer edge 50.

[0066] The first and / or the at least one second light beam 8, 9 can, for example, at least partially, preferably predominantly, pass through an at least partially curved light guide 30 from at least one illumination device 16, 17 to the feed path 7. As shown by way of example in Figure 3, a first light guide 30 is used to guide the first light beam 8 from the first illumination device 16 over a partial section to the optical deflection means 39, wherein the deflection means 39 is designed as a reflective surface 6 of a support body 3 and / or as a reflective surface 11 of a support device 4 carrying a support body 3. A second light guide is used analogously for the at least one second light beam 9. For example, the two light guides 30 can have a shape that is at least partially, preferably predominantly, particularly preferably completely, symmetrical to one another, in particular with respect to the axis of symmetry 19.

[0067] The first light beam 8, in particular the first center beam of the first light beam 8, and the second light beam 9, in particular the second center beam of the second light beam 9, can intersect at a first intersection point 31 located in the feed path 7 and intersect at a second intersection point 32 when the first and second light beams 8, 9 are projected into a projection plane running perpendicular to the feed movement of the object 2.

[0068] It is possible for the at least two light beams 8, 9 to enclose an angle y of, for example, 90° at the intersection point 31 within the feed path 7. Alternatively, the angle y can have a value other than 90°. For example, the angle y can range from exclusively 0° to exclusively 180°, excluding the value 90°. By such an angular encounter of the at least two light beams 8, 9 at the intersection point 31, a reduction of the maximum extension of the device 1 with respect to the X and / or Y directions can be achieved. The resulting distortion of the image of the object 2 depicted on the optical sensor 10 can be balanced or compensated for using an algorithm (e.g., a sine-cosine function), since the value of the angle y is known or its value range is known due to the design of the device 1.In a preferred embodiment, the value of the angle y could be in the range from 5° to 85° and from 95° to 175°. Particularly preferably, the value of the angle y is in the range from 35° to 80° and from 100° to 155°.

[0069] The device 1 can have a housing 24 which comprises a first housing section 25 in which at least one lighting device 8, 9, in particular a first and a second lighting device 8, 9, and / or the optical sensor 10 and / or a printed circuit board 29 is accommodated or can be accommodated, in particular is enclosed by the housing 24 at least in sections, preferably predominantly.

[0070] The device 1 may comprise an evaluation unit 53 for carrying out the image analysis or for processing the information relating to the respective wavelength or wavelength ranges.

[0071] For example, the device 1 comprises a contact actuation element 34 which, in the final assembly state of the device 1, is pressed against a dispensing device 5 relative to the latter by means of a pretensioning means (e.g. a spring) in order to detect a vibration of the dispensing device 5. Alternatively, the detection means 33 can be arranged as a separate element in or on the dispensing device 5, which can be fastened, for example, detachably or non-detachably to a housing 24 of the dispensing device 5 or to the device 1. The detection means 33 can, for example, be pressed against the dispensing device 5 or contact it by means of a contact element 54, in particular a spring-biased one. Via a data interface 55, for example, a dispensing device activation signal can be transmitted to the evaluation unit 53 or to a computer unit, so that a trigger signal ora control signal can be directed to the optical sensor 10.

[0072] It is possible for the dispensing device 5 and the device 1 for detecting the at least one object 2 to have corresponding housing surfaces, thus enabling targeted assembly. The device 1 can have a first contact structure and the dispensing device 5 can have a second contact structure, wherein the first and second contact structures are designed to correspond to one another such that when the parts are brought together, a predefined alignment and / or positioning of these parts is achieved. For example, the contact structures can be designed in the manner of guide and / or centering sections, which carry out a targeted alignment or positioning of the device 1 and the dispensing device 5 relative to one another by means of a forced relative movement or forced guidance resulting from the contacting geometries of the parts.Preferably, the predefined position and / or orientation of the device 1 and the dispensing device 5 is selected such that an outlet opening 22 of the dispensing device 5 runs coaxially to a device-side feed path 7 or a section thereof.

[0073] In a preferred embodiment, the first housing section 25 of the device 1 has a height or a maximum extension 34 in the Z direction in the range from 4 mm to 50 mm, preferably 4 mm to 30 mm, particularly preferably 4 mm to 20 mm, most preferably 4 mm to 15 mm, most preferably 6 mm to 10 mm. The further housing section 26 comprising the passage opening or receiving opening 27 can, for example, have a height or maximum extension 35 in the Z direction in the range from 2 mm to 15 mm, preferably from 2 mm to 10 mm, particularly preferably from 2 mm to 7 mm, most preferably from 3 mm to 6 mm.

[0074] Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the maximum extension 34 of the first housing section 25 to the maximum extension 35 of the further housing section 26 has a ratio of at least 1.5, preferably 2.0, particularly preferably 2.5, and most preferably 3.0. In particular, the information regarding the maximum extension 35 of the further housing section 26 is to be understood as the length of the passage opening and / or receiving opening 27 provided in the further housing section 26 in the Z direction.

[0075] As shown by way of example in Figure 10, the first and / or second light beams 8, 9 can pass through an optical diffuser (each) 36 before passing through the feed path 7. The diffuser 36 enables a homogenization of the at least one light beam 8, 9.

[0076] The first and / or second light beams 8, 9 can, for example, pass through a lens 37 (each) after passing through the feed path 7 and before striking the optical sensor 10. In particular, each light beam 8, 9 is assigned a lens 48.

[0077] Preferably, an unpolarized, a parallel-polarized, or a perpendicularly polarized light can be used for at least one light beam 8, 9, in particular for all light beams 8, 9 of the device 1 or the method. Figure 5 shows how different properties (unpolarized, parallel-polarized, or perpendicularly polarized) can affect the reflection behavior on the support body 3 and / or on the support device 4. Preferably, the illumination device 16, 17 and / or a modification means (not shown) located in the beam path of at least one light beam 8, 9 can enable a change in these beam properties in order to achieve advantageous reflection behavior. In particular, the modification means can carry out an automated or manual change in the beam properties. REFERENCE SYMBOL LIST

[0078] device

[0079] object

[0080] Supporting body

[0081] Carrying device

[0082] Dispenser device

[0083] Surface of 3

[0084] Feed path between 5 and 6 first light beam further light beam optical sensor

[0085] Surface of 4 first shadow second shadow first sensor section second sensor section

[0086] Lighting equipment

[0087] Lighting device, 18' mirror element

[0088] axis of symmetry

[0089] Light beam modification device

[0090] Control unit

[0091] Exit opening of 5

[0092] Intersection point of 8, 9 with 2

[0093] Housing first housing section of 24 further housing section of 24

[0094] Recording opening of 26

[0095] Relocation facility

[0096] circuit board

[0097] Light guide first intersection point of 8 and 9 second intersection point of a projection of 8 and 9

[0098] Detection means maximum extension of 25 in Z-direction 35 maximum extension of 26 in Z-direction

[0099] 36 Diffuser

[0100] 37, 37' lens

[0101] 38 Impact area

[0102] 39 deflection devices

[0103] 40 Distance between 16, 17 and 19

[0104] 41 Distance between 42 and 19

[0105] 42 Impact point from 8, 9 to 10

[0106] 43 Impact point from 8, 9 to 18

[0107] 44 Distance between 18 and 19

[0108] 45 Distance between 10 and 19

[0109] 46 outer edge

[0110] 47 Parallel to 50

[0111] 48 Arrow

[0112] 49 Distance between 43 and 19

[0113] 50 movement line

[0114] 51 Arrow

[0115] 52 Arrow

[0116] 53 Evaluation unit

[0117] 54 Contact element

[0118] 55 Data interface a Angle between 8, 9 and 47 and / or 50 ß Angle between 8 and 9 before 10

[0119] Y angle between 8 and 9 at 23

[0120] Angle between 6, 11 and 8, 9 at 39

[0121] 5 angles between 8, 9 and 10

Claims

PATENTED SPELLINGS 1 . Method for detecting an object (2) to be applied to a support body (3), comprising the following method steps: - Emitting at least one light beam (8, 9), which is deflected by means of at least one optical deflection means to a feed path (7), wherein the feed path (7) extends between a dispenser device (5) and a surface (6) of the support body (3), wherein the at least one light beam (8, 9) illuminates the object (2) to be detected in the feed path (7) and at least one shadow of the object (2) illuminated by the at least one light beam (8, 9) strikes at least one optical sensor (10), wherein - the surface (6) of the support body (3) and / or a surface (11) of a support device (4) carrying the support body (3) is used as at least one optical deflection means.

2. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one light beam (8, 9) encloses an angle a with a line of movement (50) of the object (2) to be detected and applied to the support body (3) via the feed path (7) and / or with a parallel (47) of the line of movement (50) of the object (2) to be detected and applied to the support body (3) via the feed path (7) which is not equal to 90°, preferably the angle a is 30° to 89°, particularly preferably 55° to 88°, most preferably 65° to 87°, further preferably 72° to 82°, furthermore preferably 74° to 80°.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a first and at least one second light beam (8, 9) are each guided to the feed path (7) by means of at least one optical deflection means, in particular by means of the same optical deflection means which is formed by a surface (6) of at least one support body (3) and / or by a surface (11) of at least one support device (4) carrying the support body (3), wherein at least one shadow of the object (2) illuminated by the at least one light beam (8, 9) strikes the at least one optical sensor (10).

4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the first and the second light beam (8, 9) before and / or after their respective deflection at the at least one optical deflection means, in particular the first and the second light beam (8, 9) cross in the feed path (7), particularly preferably the first and the second light beam (8, 9) cross while they illuminate the object (2) in the feed path (7).

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the first light beam (8, 9), in particular immediately before impinging on the at least one optical sensor (10), runs along a first rectilinear beam axis and the second light beam (8, 9), in particular immediately before impinging on the at least one optical sensor (10), runs along a second rectilinear beam axis, and the first and second rectilinear beam axes enclose an interior angle ß in the range from 1 ° to 90 °, preferably in the range from 2 ° to 50 °, particularly preferably in the range from 3 ° to 30 °, most preferably in the range from 4 ° to 20 °.

6. Method according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that a first shadow (12), formed by the first light beam (8) and a second shadow (13), formed by the at least one second light beam (9) impinge on the same optical sensor (10), preferably a first shadow (12), formed by the first light beam (8, 9) impinges on a first sensor section (14) of the optical sensor (10) and a second shadow (13), formed by the second light beam (9) impinges on a second sensor section (15) of this optical sensor (10).

7. Method according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the first light beam (8) and the second light beam (9) - from the illumination device (16, 17) emitting these light beams (8, 9) or from the illumination devices (16, 17) emitting them to the at least one deflection means and / or - from the at least one deflection means to the feed path (7), in particular to the point where the at least one light beam (8, 9) impinges on the object (2), and / or - from the feed path (7) to a mirror element (18) which is arranged in the direction of movement of the light beam (8, 9), in particular immediately after the feed path (7) and / or - from a mirror element (18) which is arranged in the direction of movement of the light beam (8, 9), in particular immediately after the feed path (7) to the at least an optical sensor (10), at least in sections, preferably predominantly, particularly preferably completely, having a mirror-symmetrical course to one another on an axis of symmetry (19).

8. Method according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that - the at least one illumination device (16, 17) for emitting the at least one light beam (8, 9) and / or - a light beam modification device (20), e.g. a color filter, arranged in front of the optical sensor (10) in the light beam preparation direction, is or are configured to impart a first, predefined wavelength or wavelength range to the first light beam (8) and a second wavelength or wavelength range, different from the wavelength or wavelength range of the first light beam (8, 9), to the second light beam (9).

9. Method according to one of claims 8, characterized by generating evaluation information which, starting from sensor information generated by the at least one optical sensor (10), and taking into account a difference in the wavelength and / or in the wavelength ranges of the first and the at least one second light beam (8, 9), describes at least one item of object image information associated with the first and / or the at least one second light beam (8, 9).

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one light beam (8, 9) is deflected by a mirror element, in particular a single one, assigned to the at least one light beam (8, 9), after it has passed through the feed path (7) and before it strikes the at least one optical sensor (10). Preferably, a first light beam (8) is deflected by a first mirror element, in particular a single one, assigned to the first light beam (8), after it has passed through the feed path (7) and before it strikes the at least one optical sensor (10), and a second light beam (9) is deflected by a second mirror element, in particular a single one, assigned to the second light beam (9), after it has passed through the feed path (7) and before it strikes the at least one optical sensor (10). 11 . Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by triggering a sensor recording of an optical sensor (10), wherein the triggering takes place in dependence on a sensor activation signal, wherein - receiving a digital dispenser device activation signal provided by a control unit (21) controlling a dispenser device (5), wherein the sensor activation signal can be generated or is generated as a function of the dispenser device activation signal or corresponds thereto and / or - detecting a vibration of a dispensing device (5) and / or a noise of a dispensing device (5), wherein the sensor activation signal is generated in dependence on detection information describing the detected vibration and / or the detected noise.

12. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a drop formed by a liquid is used as the object (2) to be applied and detected.

13. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a solid body is used as the object (2) to be applied and detected, preferably a wire-like body and / or a bonding material is used as the object (2) to be applied and detected.

14. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one illumination device (16, 17) and / or at least one optical sensor (10) and / or at least one mirror element (18) for redirecting a light beam (8, 9) has or have a greater distance (22) to an impact area (38) of the object (2) on the support body (3) than - an outlet opening (22) of the dispensing device (5) and / or - an intersection point (23) of the at least one light beam (8, 9) with the object (2) in the feed path (7).

15. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a housing (24) is used, - which comprises a first housing section (25) in which at least one illumination device (16, 17) for emitting in particular a light beam (8, 9), in particular a first and a second illumination device (8, 9), and / or the optical sensor (10) is accommodated or can be accommodated and - comprises at least one further housing section (26) which comprises a passage opening for the passage of the object (2) to be detected and / or a receiving opening (27) for at least partially receiving a dispensing device (5) applying the object (2).

16. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a displacement device (28) is used which is set up to displace a dispensing device (5) relative to the optical sensor (10), in particular the dispensing device (5) can be displaced by means of the displacement device (28) between a first position, at least partially received in a receiving opening (27) of a housing (24), and a second position, in particular an outlet opening cleaning position, relative to the receiving opening (27).

17. Device (1) for detecting at least one object (2) to be applied to a carrier body (3), comprising - a feed path (7) extending between a dispensing device (5) and a surface (6) of a support body (3), via which the object (2) can be applied to the support body (3); - at least one illumination device (16, 17) for emitting at least one light beam (8, 9), which is guided or can be guided to the feed path (7) by means of at least one optical deflection means (39), wherein the at least one light beam (8, 9) illuminates the object (2) to be detected within the feed path (7) and - at least one optical sensor (10) onto which at least one shadow of the object (2) illuminated by the at least one light beam (8, 9) impinges, wherein - the at least one optical deflection means (39) forms a surface (6) of the support body (3) or a surface (6) of a support device (4) carrying the support body (3).

18. Arrangement comprising at least one device (1) according to claim 17 and at least one support body (3) and / or a support device (4) carrying a support body (3), wherein the support body (3) and / or the support device (4) is / are configured to reflect a light beam (8, 9) emitted by the device (1), so that an impact of the light beam (8, 9) on at least one optical sensor (10) of the device (1) is made possible.

Images